Mayor proclaims ‘Click It or Ticket Campaign’ 05-18-05

CLICK IT OR TICKET – Mayor Harry Kim presents a proclamation declaring May 23-June 5 as “National Click It or Ticket Campaign” to Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna. With Mahuna are Sergeant Christopher Gali, head of the Traffic Enforcement Unit, left, and Sergeant Dexter Veriato, head of the Traffic Services Section.

MEDIA RELEASE

Mayor Harry Kim has proclaimed May 23-June 5, 2005, as “National Click It or Ticket Campaign” on the Big Island in order to encourage the use of seat belts.

The mayor signed the proclamation Monday (May 16, 2005) in his office and presented it to Big Island Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna, Sergeant Christopher P. Gali of the Traffic Enforcement Unit and Sergeant Dexter Veriato of the Traffic Services Section.

The proclamation states that 41 persons died on Hawaii County roads last year, noting that about half “would still be alive if they had worn their seat belts.”

“Although Hawaii County has a seat belt use rate of 96 percent, about 50 percent of the people killed in 2004 were not using seat belts,” it says.

The proclamation encourages all drivers to “make sure that everyone in their car is buckled up every time they drive.”

Veriato said the campaign is aimed at making motorists more aware of seat belts.

“According to the last statewide survey, the County of Hawaii’s seat belt usage has dropped significantly, and we are taking those results very seriously,” he said. “We need the public’s help in saving lives.”

In addition to ticketing unbuckled drivers and passengers, police will enforce child passenger restraint laws and ticket drivers if children under the age of four are not properly restrained in a child safety seat.

Hawaii’s seat belt law requires those riding in the front seat to use their seat belts and those 17 and under to use their seat belts in the back seat. The fine for not wearing a seat belt is $92.